Raúl Garcia: I Think We Are Improving Every Day

Raul Garcia has been in fine form during the summer friendlies so far and on Friday he scored a brace to lift the Lions to a 2-0 victory over Club Brugge. Following the match he spoke with AthleticTV to discuss the game and also how he thinks the team is doing. The 31-year-old was quick to point out that he believes the Lions are very competitive this summer and that the team is improving every single day.

Raul Garcia celebrating his goal against Club Brugge (Athletic Club)

“It is true that the team looks pretty good. I think we are improving every day. It is clear that the physical level we are showing also helps you to be more competitive. We are happy because the team has played a serious game and gotten a great result. Knowing that we start next week, today was a game of truth. It is important that we have earned a clean sheet for the third consecutive game and that we are scoring ourselves. It is a positive note and shows that the team is working well and grasping what we are supposed to be doing.

In closing, Garcia was asked about next week’s meeting with Dinamo Bucuresti in Europa League player. He immediately said that Athletic takes every single opponent extremely seriously after being eliminated by APOEL last year. It was a lesson that you have to learn from.

“We do not care about names, we always try to respect our rivals and think that they are the best team in the world. Last year, we were eliminated by a team that we thought was inferior. You have to learn from that and not let those mistakes happen again.”

On Saturday the Lions will do battle with Real Valladolid which will serve as the final friendly before Thursday’s game against Dinamo Bucuresti. Cuco Ziganda gave a hint at his starting lineup against Club Brugge but did say that there could be two or three changes next week in Romania. Regardless, Raúl Garcia has been playing at a high level and is expected to continue his role in the starting lineup next week.